12 PRECIOUS MINERALS AND NUTRIENTS THAT PLANTS NEED!!

Feeding your indoor plants will sound like a complex chemistry lesson with all of the elements and symbols on fertilizer labels. However, you don't need to go back to high school to learn the skills you'll need to be a good grower. This easy-to-understand guide explains why some minerals are important to plants and what happens if they don't get enough of them. Plants depend on these dozen nutrients throughout their lives, with demand fluctuating as they mature and expand. Perhaps more importantly, these minerals operate together and need the presence of all other minerals in order to function.

THE ESSENTIAL MINERALS

Plants need a regular, well-balanced supply of these three minerals for steady, healthy development. The amount of each primary nutrient used by your plants varies depending on where they are in their growth cycle – from seedling to leafy growth to flowering – but both are needed during their lives. If you have a hydroponic or soil-based method, you must provide these in the form of nutrient solutions to crops grown indoors.

Key functions of Nitrogen (N)

Nitrogen is absorbed by plants and converted into amino acids, which are the building blocks of all cells. Nitrogen is particularly important for the development of chlorophyll, the green pigment in plant leaves that transforms light energy into the carbohydrates that plants eat. Plants require nitrogen the most in their early stages of development when they are actively developing stems, branches, and leaves. Fermented corn extracts (which are rich in Lysine, a potent amino acid) and waste from fish processing (also known as "acidulated fish tankage") are both good sources of nitrogen.

Symptoms of deficiency: Older leaves wilt and becomes scorched around the edges.

Key functions of Phosphorus (P)

Phosphorus acts as a power station inside plants, assisting in any process involving energy transfer from one function to another. Growing roots or forming flowers and fruit are examples of energy transfers. Phosphorus is the catalyst that transforms sunlight into carbohydrates and initiates the transformation of nitrogen into amino acids. This aspect is especially important during plant growth transitions, such as the end of vegetative growth and the start of flowering. Plants get a concentrated dose of phosphorus from bone meal.

Deficiency signs include burnt new leaf tips and dark green to reddish-purple older leaves.

Key functions of potassium (K)

Plants "breathe" carbon dioxide through tiny pores in their leaves called stomata. As potassium enters the cells surrounding the stomata, the cells swell and absorb water, causing the pores to expand and CO2 to join. When water sources are in short supply, potassium in the cells surrounding the stomata recedes, closing the pores and reducing drought stress. Potassium is a catalyst in the manufacture and delivery of the starches and sugars needed for the blossoms to completely form as plants begin to bloom. Potash sulfate is a mineral that occurs naturally and is used in organic plant fertilizers.

Symptoms of deficiency include yellowing of leaves, beginning with the oldest (lowest on the stem). The majority of the plant has a light green appearance.

THE SECONDARY MINERALS

Plants need a plentiful supply of these three minerals, which are found in most soils but must be supplied to hydroponic crops through nutrient solution.

Key functions of Calcium (Ca)

Calcium is required by plants to create strong cell walls and healthy root systems, just as it is required by humans for strong teeth and bones. Some nutrients are transported from the roots to the leaves and flowers by calcium.

Symptoms of deficiency include irregularly shaped or twisted new leaves (at the top of the plant).

Key functions of Calcium (Ca) 

Sulfur is an essential nitrogen partner because it aids in the conversion of nitrogen into amino acids and chlorophyll. Sulfur is a major component of the essential oils that give flowers and fruit their fragrance and taste, and it stimulates growth enzymes. Sulfur is commonly found in manure and compost. Sulfuric acid is used to transform bones and other animal waste into fertilizer, while the sulfate of potash provides both potassium and sulfur to your plants.

Symptoms of deficiency include yellowing of the youngest leaves, followed by yellowing of the older leaves.

Key functions of Magnesium (Mg) 

Magnesium is an essential component of photosynthesis since it is the core atom in the chlorophyll molecule. It's also involved in a number of enzymes that activate various stages of the plant's life cycle. Dolomitic limestone, a popular garden soil amendment, is a good source of magnesium and calcium. It's also known chemically as magnesium sulfate, and it's a central component of Epsom salts.

Symptoms of deficiency: Older leaves turn yellow at the edges, leaving a green arrowhead outline in the middle.

THE MICRO MINERALS

These six nutrients are just as essential for growing healthy plants as the six above, but your plants only require trace amounts of them.

Key functions of Copper's (Mg) 

Copper's (Cu) main functions include: A sufficient supply of copper is needed for the production of flowers, fruit, and seeds in a variety of ways. It also aids in the conversion of amino acids into proteins for the formation of new cells. Copper uptake by plant roots is inhibited by a high pH in the nutrient solution.

Symptoms of deficiency include dark green leaves and stunted growth.

Key functions of Zinc (Zn)

Zinc is needed for the metabolism of carbohydrates that fuel plant growth as well as the development of auxins, hormones that stimulate the upward growth of plant stems. Zinc excess can inhibit the absorption of phosphorus, iron, manganese, and copper by plants.

Symptoms of deficiency include yellowing between the veins of terminal leaves, which are found at the end of each stem or branch.

Key functions of Iron (Fe)

Iron in plants, as in human blood, aids in the transport of oxygen to all of the cells. It also helps in the digestion of sugars and other carbohydrates by collaborating with other minerals to manufacture chlorophyll.

Symptoms of deficiency include the yellowing of the veins of young leaves, a condition known as "chlorosis."

Key function of Manganese (Mn)

Manganese, which is easily mistaken with magnesium, is an important component of the enzymes that cause germination and new growth in plants of all ages. It also has much to do with carbohydrate metabolism. Manganese deficiency is rare, but it has symptoms that are similar to iron deficiency because plants need Mn to use iron.

Deficiency signs include yellowing between the veins of young leaves, though not in the same pattern as iron deficiency.

Key functions of Molybdenum (Mo)

Molybdenum is needed for the production of flower pollen, as well as the uptake and processing of nitrogen and phosphorus.

Symptoms of deficiency: Older leaves turn yellow, while the rest of the plant becomes light green.

Key functions of Boron (B)

Boron works in tandem with calcium to help the plant form cell walls and transport sugars. It also aids calcium uptake and absorption in plants. The absorption of boron by plants is inhibited by high pH in the nutrient solution and high humidity.

Branches and new growth are twisted, dense, and brittle, indicating a deficiency. Yellow splotches can appear on the uppermost leaves. Unlike other nutrient deficiencies, which have consistent symptoms, a lack of boron in a crop can occur at any time.